H. J. Busness

H. J. Busness is a prosperous farmer of Paint Creek township whose successful life merits exceptional praise owing to the fact that when he was still a child he was obliged to earn his own livelihood., He possesses the elements of success and by industry, thrift and economy worked his way upward to prosperity until he is today one of the successful and enterprising farmers of Allamakee county.

He was born in Paint Creek township, March 25, 1863, and is a son of Ole Olson, a native of the province of Hardanger, Norway, born in 1828. Upon coming to America the father found so many by the name of Olson the he adopted the name of Ole O. Busness, that being the title of the farm on which the family had lived in the old country. The father married Martha Djonne a native also of Hardanger, Norway, and they came to Allamakee county in 1859. The father purchased forty acres of wild land on section 13, Paint Creek township, and upon it built a log house in which he resided until 1864, when he removed to the farm where the subject of this review now resides. This also was entirely unimproved and covered with a dense growth of brush and heavy timber. The father cleared his one hundred and sixty acres and from the timber cut down build another log house, a portion of which still stands. Although it has been moved from its original location, weather-boarded and plastered. Substantial additions have also been made to the original dwelling. Upon this property Ole Busness continued to reside for many years, dying in 1908, when he was within a week of his eightieth birthday. His wife passed away in the same year. To them were born seven children: Olena, a native of Norway and now the wife of Harold Hanson, of Paint Creek township; Julia, who was also born in Norway and who married O. N. Hegg. of Lansing; Caroline, who was born in Allamakee county and who married Bernt Michelson, of Clear Lake, South Dakota; H.J., of this review; Nels, whose home is in Fort Dodge, Iowa; and Mrs. J. M. Anderson and Edward, both of whom reside in Paint Creek township.

As the oldest son H. J. Busness was obliged to lay aside his books at a very early age and to assume the entire control of the homestead in Paint Creek township, his father having become crippled with rheumatism. With the energy, self-reliance and independence which are still prominent qualities in his character he set himself to his task and throughout the period of his boyhood and early youth was practically the entire support of the family. Eventually he purchased the homestead, which he now operates and which he has made one of the finest agricultural properties in this vicinity. It comprises one hundred and eighty-eight acres and is well improved with barns and outbuildings and reflects everywhere the owner’s many years of careful supervision and practical labor.

Mr. Busness married Miss Caroline Anderson, a daughter of Martin Anderson, of whom more extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Busness have seven children, Otinus, Martha, Mabel, Emma, Nora, Holger and Carl.

Mr. Busness is a member of the Lutheran church and politically gives his allegiance to the republican party, serving in a creditable and able way as school director. His career offers many excellent examples of the value of industry, self-reliance and perseverance in achieving success, for his prosperity is entirely the result of his own labor, enterprise and good management. He is an upright man, interested in everything that pertains to the development and welfare of his native county, and he has gained the confidence and respect of his neighbors both as a prosperous farmer and as a public-spirited citizen.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich

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